Nelson Mandela Stencil Graffiti

46664 is Nelson Mandela’s campaign to help raise Global awareness of AIDS/HIV. 46664 launched last Autumn by Mandela in London aims to highlight the emergency of AIDS/HIV through unique live events and music related initiatives.

46664 was the former President of South Africa’s the prison number when he was held in captivity for 18 years on Robben Island in Cape Town. Last November a huge Concert was held at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town which featured a galaxy of international music talent including Beyonce, Bono, Dave Stewart, Queen and Anastasia. This show was the first of many planned world

46664 was the prison number of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, Cape Town where he was held in captivity for 18 years. In November 2002 Mr Mandela gave his prison number 46664 to Dave Stewart of Eurythmics so that he could use it to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa by raising money for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

The first thing that Dave did was to ask his good friend Joe Strummer, famous as the lead singer of the legendary band The Clash, to write lyrics for a song that included 46664. Sadly this was the last song that Joe was to write. Following his death in December 2002, Dave completed the song with Bono and the two of them recorded it together as the first of a series of co-writes for the campaign. This song, 46664 (Long Walk to Freedom), soon became the anthem of 46664.

Having created the momentum for the creation and recording of new material with fellow artists Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen and Bono, Dave then came up with the idea of trying to get Mr Mandela's prison number to work as a telephone number and web site in order to create a new way of donating and bringing awareness to Mr Mandela's appeal. The result was 46664: Give 1 Minute of Your Life To AIDS.

Why we need 46664

46664 is needed to support the global anti-AIDS movement. Just as the world united to beat apartheid in South Africa, the world must unite to beat AIDS. Individuals around the world must be morally engaged in a collective campaign to raise awareness and money and provoke action.

The fight against AIDS can be won. Every HIV infection can be prevented. Every AIDS case can be treated. From Brazil to Uganda to Thailand, poor countries have proved that the tide can be turned with leadership, resources and public engagement. As rich nations make more money available and drug prices fall, the battle becomes easier, though these are not the only ingredients for success in Africa and around the world. The artists of 46664 give voice to the responsibility of every one of us to stop the stigma associated with Aids. And this is where 46664 can have the greatest impact.

Why? Because fear and discrimination fuel the fire of HIV infection - 90% of people who are HIV+ don't know it because they are too scared to be tested. As such, it is the responsibility of each of us to practice safe sex: by choosing abstinence, by being faithful and by wearing condoms. By doing so we can stop HIV infection in its tracks.

Finally, we all have a role to play in advocacy to spread awareness of these simple messages to others and to demand that governments play their role. This is where the fight will be won, and the area where 46664 is focusing its resources.